No. 16 Vol. 5
www.mypaperonline.com
May 2018
Grover Cleveland’s Caldwell Birthplace Yields Much U.S. History And Fun
T
By Steve Sears here have been a few United States presidents who have served two four-year terms in office. However, only one among that group has served non-consecutive terms. And he’s from New Jersey. Grover Cleveland, the 22nd (1885-1889) and 24th (18931897) Commander-in-Chief of this nation, was born inside the tiny home that serves as the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Historic Site in Caldwell. Nowadays, cars zip by up and down busy Bloomfield Avenue, but when Cleveland was a toddler here, nothing of the kind existed. Horse and carriage was the norm, as were stagecoaches. Sharon Farrell, caretaker at the site, says the location is visited by an estimated 7,000 visitors per year, but varies by season. In the summer, out-ofstate visitors are more likely, but in the offseason, in-state and local visitors are more
prominent. Much is here to see and experience, including the cradle Grover Cleveland slept in, a piece of his wedding reception cake – he, John Tyler, and Woodrow Wilson, are the only presidents to marry while in office; Cleveland’s the only to take place inside the White House, and much more. Dr. David Cowell, president of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association (GCBMA), said the site should be more frequented, and talks about the house. “This was the manse of the Presbyterian Church, they built by 1832, the man who was the pastor retired, Cleveland’s father came in here as the pastor, and they moved in here, and he [Grover Cleveland] was born here.” The site is both an interesting spot for adults and children. In fact, it’s interactive. “In comparison to other presidential birthplaces, a lot of it [Cleveland’s birthplace] is ac-
Photo credit: Janet Markman
tually a lot better than what they’re offering,” attests Farrell. “People come away saying, ‘That was one of the best sites we’ve been to.” Cowell adds, “One of the things most people comment here is that it is much more user friendly as a birthplace; they actually can touch and see. There’s not that sort of roped-off where a person says this is that or that. We try to get as personal as we can, allow them to move around at
their own speed.” “Also, regarding education,” alludes Board Member Janet Markman, “when we have out July 4th social, she [Farrell] was talking about the clothes, all the toys, there’s all sorts of stations we put on the lawn, and you can see all the kids having a ball, and even the parents are getting involved with the kids.” One visitor is Cleveland’s grandson, George Cleveland. “He rents himself out,” says continued on page 4
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